The planned visit to Saudi Arabia by the committee raised by 2the Federal Government to deliver a special message to the authorities in Jeddah over the ill-treatment of Nigerian female pilgrims to this year’s hajj has suffered a hitch.

The inability of the Federal Government delegationto travel to Saudi Arabia as earlier planned followed the difficulty encountered by the team in securing a visiting visa to the holy land.

Consequently, the trip has been delayed for at least four days.

Members of the delegation were originally scheduled to depart last Thursday but could not immediately obtain visa as the Saudi embassy does not operate on Thursdays and Fridays.

Government sources in Abuja interpreted the non- availability of the visa on demand as another manifestation of hostility from Jeddah.

The source said: “We view this with serious concern. Considering the seriousness of the matter,one would have thought the Saudi authorities would open a special window for members of the delegation to obtain visa.

“But it appears they don’t see the urgency. Besides, the procedure of meeting the Saudi king is quite complicated.

“Our ambassador will have to meet with the authorities to intimate them with the mission of the Nigerian delegation and it is after permission is granted that visa will be issued.

“There is no way that can be done until Sunday or Monday. The delegation may have to leave on Tuesday.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, yesterday met with the acting Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah in New York.

At the session, the Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister assured Nigeria that the row will be resolved and deportation of pilgrims stopped.

Ashiru, who spoke with our correspondent exclusively on the phone, quoted the Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister as saying: “Insa Allahu, the issue will be resolved.”

He said: “The Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister repeatedly gave me his words by saying: “Insa Allahu, the problem will soon be over.”

A follow-up statement made available by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said: “Following the recent developments on the non-admittance and eventual deportation of some Nigerian female pilgrims to the Holy land in Mecca and Medina, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga A. Ashiru, MFR today 28th September 2012, in New York met with His Royal Highness, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, Acting Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly.

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs used the occasion of the meeting to register Nigeria’s strong objection to the treatment meted out to many Nigerian female pilgrims, who after fulfilling the visa requirements were denied entry to Saudi Arabia in order to perform Hajj, one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam.

“In referring to this worrisome development, the Foreign Minister expressed Nigeria’s particular concern at the denial of consular access to the detained female pilgrims by both the Nigerian Ambassador and Consul-General in Saudi Arabia, which is in contravention of the Vienna Convention.

“He also expressed the view that the action of the Saudi Authorities was not only unfortunate, but did not truly reflect the historic friendly ties between the two nations. He concluded by requesting the Saudi Authorities to immediately find an appropriate solution to the problem while ensuring that these intending pilgrims are treated with respect and dignity so that they can consummate their religious duties and obligations.

“The Saudi Acting Foreign Minister, while expressing regrets at the development, informed that the denial of entry to unaccompanied female pilgrims to perform the Hajj was not a Saudi Arabian regulation but an Islamic requirement that all women must be accompanied by Muharrams.

He, however, informed that efforts are being made to find an immediate solution to the problem. Finally, he expressed the hope that Nigerian pilgrims will in future fully comply with this Islamic injunction in order to avoid such unpalatable consequences.

“The Nigerian government, while calling for restraint on the part of those affected by the recent action of the Saudi government, wishes to assure Nigerians that all efforts are being made to find an early solution to this worrisome development. Government also reiterates its determination to protect the legitimate interests of its citizens abroad.”

Meanwhile, the committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan to interface with the Saudi Arabian authorities over the detention and subsequent deportation of Nigerian female pilgrims to this year’s Hajj, met yesterday under the leadership of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.